CHAPTER SEVENTY

For the second time that evening, the rear entrance to the theater was thrust open. As Gabriel raced down the back stairs, the abused door ricocheted off the wall and back into Steelbeak as he was making his own escape

"Hey, watchit!" He shouted, elbowing the door in frustration. The hinges turned their fullest, then ultimately failed due to the night's misuse. The agents barely paid any attention as the door slipped from its hinges and off the landing with a resounding crash.

"God, I am really starting to hate that girl!" Gabriel shouted to the night sky. A few theater patrons turned in the direction of her shouting, then made haste to find their vehicle. "That stupid, freakin' Creampuff! Everyone in this stupid city seems to either know her or want her for some reason. And whenever we get close enough to get her story, she takes off!"

"Gabe," Steelbeak interjected during a brief pause in her tirade. "What's goin' on? We ran into de girl de last time we tried ta catch ol' Darkwing, you two drown your misery in a few dozen drinks, and now all we've been doin' is chasin' her around."

"Steelbeak!" A voice snapped. "I should have known you'd try to sabotage this event. It's got just enough class for you to think you're good enough for it."

Steelbeak slapped a hand to his forehead. "Not you!" He groaned, turning to see Darkwing Duck illuminated in the triangle of a street lamp. "I ain't done nuttin' tonight, Darkwing. So why don't you go out 'n' find some real crimes instead of bothering me when I'm on a date."

Gabriel turned to glare at him for only an instant, but it was enough time for a webbed foot to connect with her midsection. She found herself sprawled on the cold asphalt with an odd-looking gun pointed in her face. "Hey, what do you think you're doing?" she cried. "This dress cost me a small fortune!"

"If you're with Steelbeak, you're up to no good." Darkwing deduced. "So suck gas, evildoer!"

Before Darkwing could depress the trigger of his gun, Gabriel had his right arm in her gasp. In one swift motion, she snatched his weapon and pulled the hero to the ground, turning the tides. "I don't think so. You're coming with us, Duck!" She waved her favorite handgun in her free hand. "And if you make one move, shorty, you'll figure out that this sucker don't shoot gas."

Darkwing glared at her. "You'll never get away with this."

"I t'ink we already have!" Steelbeak gloated, taking Darkwing's gas-gun from his partner. "And I know F.O.W.L.'s research 'n' development department is gonna love gettin' deir hands on dis sweet little doodad!"

With both hands firmly around the handle of her gun, Gabriel started to stand. As she did, she soon realized one on the downfalls of fighting in a formal dress: in her struggle to get Darkwing on the ground, he had rolled over the wide hem of her skirt. She was stuck with him there, barely on her feet and bent at her waist at an awkward angle. "Before I blow your head of, twerp, get off of my --"



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